The First Big Challenge

The very day that Dom, Mark and I decided to say "yes" to things that terrified us, something MASSIVE happened. A once in a lifetime thing. Something so gigantic, that you wonder if the universe was sending us a message. I kind of believe in that, I think. The idea that if you put an idea out there, if the time is right, then the universe moves and things happen. I have experienced that before.

So anyway, we were sitting there, Easter 2016, over mugs of tea, reflecting upon the wreckage of the last year. And we got to talking about the future. And we were all being very positive and talking about saying "yes" to the universe.

Now, don't get the impression that this was all sweetness and light, because there's far too much piss taking in our respective relationships for that. Mark, for example, told Dom that his new beard made him look like Rolf Harris. Also, its easier to see opportunities in someone else's life than it is your own. Being the big sister, I could see all the opportunities facing Mark, newly divorced as he was, and was certain that he'd be in for a ball of a year and that he'd have a lot of fun. After all, I am divorced myself so I have a certain amount of life experience I can bring to that judgement. I was not so sure that my own life held as much opportunity and therefore I am not so sure I was expecting to have to bring as much bravery to my commitment to say yes, if you know what I mean? What scary things can present them to a middle aged Mum of 3, huh?

At that exact moment in time, something big happened. 

Have you heard of Spencer Tunick? The artist Spencer Tunick? The guy who photographs naked people?

This guy?

This guy?

You know, the guy who did this?

and this?

Well, baby, he's ONLY COMING TO OUR CITY!

And he needs naked people. THOUSANDS of naked people. Yay! Thousands of naked people! That'd be cool, right? Dom and I watched a documentary about Spencer Tunick years ago and we both talked about how absolutely awesome it would be to be in one of his installations. You know, somewhere near the back. Where no-one can see your cellulite or your genitals.

HELL YEAH, we said, full of the spirit of bravery and new commitments. HELL YEAH, SIGN US UP! SOME INTERNATIONALLY ACCLAIMED ARTIST IS COMING TO OUR CITY AND HE NEEDS LOADS OF PEOPLE TO FEATURE IN AN ACTUAL WORK OF ART?! SIGN US UP ALREADY! THIS IS COOOL!

Then we received confirmation that we were in. We were needed, very early in the morning.

Then I had one thought that totally overrode all my other thoughts.

Oh, crap. I have to talk to my brother when we're both naked.

Awkward. 

Claire x